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Storm damage in Crow Wing County, MN [AERIALS]
Severe storms caused damage near Crosby, Minnesota. Much of Minnesota, including Crow Wing County were hit with storms Wednesday, with some parts of the state being under a tornado warning.
BRAINERD, Minn. (FOX 9) - Many thunderstorms moved across northeast and north central Minnesota Wednesday evening, which brought wind damage, large hail "to the size of softballs" and "several" tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.
In an updated public information statement Friday evening, the National Weather Service (NWS) said two supercelluar storms produced four tornadoes, which were rated EF-0 to EF-2, across Crow Wing, Aitkin and Carlton counties.
The storm that went through Crow Wing and Aitkin County produced "three separate tornadoes." The first tornado was near Upper Whitefish Lake across Clamshell Lake where "a wide, sharp path of damage was found," NWS said.
After this tornado dissipated, a second one formed west of Rabbit Lake, which is north of Crosby, Minnesota.
"This second tornado appeared to have a mainly continuous path of damage from Rabbit Lake to Cedar Lake and Hammal Lake," the NWS said in their statement. "There may have been a break in this tornado as it traveled across the Crow Wing State Forest, but a combination of storm chaser and spotter video as well as ground surveys seemed to indicate a mainly consistent path of damage."
This storm later made a "weak, wispy" tornado near Glen, Minnesota, with no known damage, according to NWS.
During that supercell storm, another supercell briefly produced a weak tornado in Carlton County, and minor tree damage occurred.
No injuries or fatalies were reported due to these tornadoes, NWS said.
The tornado near Whitefish and Clamshell Lake was rated as an EF-2, with an estimated peak wind speed of 120 mph. The second tornado that went from Rabbit Lake to Cedar and Hammal Lake was rated as an EF-2 as well, with estimated peak wind speeds at 115 mph.
The third tornado near Glen was rated as an EF-0 with estimated peak wind speeds at 65 mph. The fourth and final tornado in Carlton County was also rated an EF-0, with peak wind speeds at 80 mph.
The NWS says the report is preliminary, and will likely be changed as they review additional reports, images and videos.
To read the full NWS public information statement on the storms, click here.
See this morning's previous coverage on the report below:
"Several tornadoes" caused damage in the Brainerd Lakes area Wednesday night, according to the National Weather Service. The exact number will be confirmed in the days ahead.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Duluth's preliminary information, released Thursday night, indicates several tornadoes caused damage in portions of Crow Wing, Aitkin and Carlton counties, with NWS saying "extensive tornado damage" occurred Cedar Lake and Hammal Lake in western Aitkin County and around Clamshell Lake west of Crosslake, in Crow Wing County.
Here is what's known so far from the NWS via their public information statement. More will come out in the days ahead.
"Early NWS June 12, 2024, Storm Survey Results from the Brainerd Lakes area:
"Meteorologists from the National Weather Service office in Duluth have conducted a preliminary storm survey in the Brainerd Lakes region of north-central Minnesota. The survey is in relation to the severe thunderstorms that moved through the area in the late afternoon and early evening hours of Wednesday, June 12, 2024. NWS Duluth received numerous reports of very large hail, wind damage, and tornadoes. Additional information will be provided in the coming days.
"What is known as of 6:30 p.m. Thursday:
- The NWS can confirm several tornadoes caused damaged across parts of northern Minnesota on Wednesday, June 12, 2024
- One weak (preliminary EF-0) tornado occurred near Wright, MN in Carlton County, approximately 5-mile path length. Additional details, including exact location and timing, are yet to be determined.
- Extensive tornado damage on Cedar Lake and Hammal Lake in western Aitkin County (Southwest of Aitkin, MN). Preliminary rating, location, and time details are yet to be determined.
- Tornado damage on Rabbit Lake/Highway 6 (north of Crosby, MN) in northern Crow Wing County. Preliminary rating, location, and time details are yet to be determined.
- Extensive tornado damage including damage to homes and resorts around Clamshell Lake (southern end of Upper Whitefish Lake), west of Crosslake, MN in northern Crow Wing County. Preliminary rating, location, and time details are yet to be determined.
- Photographs and videos received by NWS Duluth indicate a possible tornado near Glen in Aitkin County. Survey crews have not investigated this area at this time.
- NWS Duluth received reports of extensive hail damage and possible wind damage from near Dads Corner in southeast Aitkin County. Survey crews have not investigated this area at this time.
- The NWS has not yet determined if the damage in Crow Wing County and Aitkin County is all from a single continuous tornado or if there were several tornadoes. Due to the rural and forested landscape, not all parts of the damage path were immediately accessible by ground. NWS is working with local government partners including the Aitkin County Sheriff and Crow Wing County Sheriff to acquire aerial imagery (drone/helicopter). At this time we can confirm there is tornado damage in these communities, but the final damage rating (strength) and path length(s) will be determined in the coming days."
The NWS expects to issue an update no later than 6 p.m. on Friday.